Ax.



s. B. BARTLETT.

. AX. APPLICATION FILED SEPT-1| 1915.

1 1 77,472 Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

SAMUEL B. BARTLETT, OF CARTHAGE, NORTH CAROLINA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

Application filed September 1, 1915. Serial No. 48 ,5 06.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL B. BARTLETT, a native white citizen of the United States,

residing at Carthage, in the county of,

Moore and State of North Carolina, have invented new and useful Improvements in Axes, of which the following is' a specification.

The present invention contemplates certain improvements in tools such as axes or the like.

I propose to provide a resilient connection between the head of a tool of the above mentioned character and the handle therefor, for the purpose of absorbing the shock incident to the impact of the blade with the material being operated on, which is generally transmitted to the handle, the resilient connection further serving to loosen the blade in the material with a View of facilitating its removal therefrom.

Other objects will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood from the following description wherein the construction and arrangement of parts are fully set forth and claimed.

In the drawing forming part of this application like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherein Figure 1 is a view of a device constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view therethrough. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view. Fig. 4 is a'detail perspective view of one of the springs.

Before entering into a detail description of the invention I desire to have it understoodthat the various parts of the tool may be constructed of any suitable material, size and formation without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The tool as shown 'in this embodiment of the invention is in the form of an ax and essentially consists of the blade or cutting element 5 of usual construction, and a handle 6, associated with the blade in the manner to be presently described. Embracing the thickened portion of the element 5 is a strap of wrought iron or other suitable material which has its ends suitably tapered for engagement with the opposite sides of the element 5 to which they are welded or otherwise suitably secured. I propose to provide a resilient connection between the cutting element 5 and the handle 6 therefor, and therefore make use of the leaf springs Tand 8 respectively. The former is formed from a point in its length to provide a bolt 9 which passes through the bore 10 in the cutting element 5 and held associated therewith by means of the nut 11 secured to the free end of the bolt, while the spring S has' a right-angularly disposed attaching portion 12 bearing against the upper edge of the cutting element 5 and secured thereto by means of the fastening elements 13 and let passing therethrough and through the bores 15 and 16 respectively. The spring 8 is curved inwardly and upwardly as at 17 and terminates in spaced confronting relation with the terminal of the spring 7, and between the said springs is secured in any suitable manner one end of the handle 6. Secured to the outer edge of the cutting element 5 is a counter-balancing weight 18 comprising a block of any suitable material having an opening 19 adapted to register with the bore 16 of said element to receive the lower end of the fastening element 14 which has secured thereto an adjusting nut 20. The block is further formed with a stud 21 projecting from its face adjacent the element 5, and extending within the bore 15 thereof, the

stud assisting in holding the block operatively associated with the element 5.

By reason of the construction hereinabove described it will be manifest that the blade 7 5 may be driven into the material with con siderable force, and that the shock and jar' incident to the impact of the blade with the material is absorbed by the resilient connection between the blade and thehandle 6 which shock with tools of ordinary construction is transmitted through the handle to the. hands and arms of the user with a tiring effect. In addition to this important function, the re-action of the springs subsequent to the driving of theblade into the material serves to loosen the bladein the material thereby materially facilitating its removal therefrom when desired. It is to be understood however that the springs 6 and 7 respectively and the manner in which they are associated with the cutting element 5 as shown and hereinabove described is merely illustrated in one embodiment of the invention. and that various changes in this respect may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

It is believed that from the foregoing description the-nature and advantages. of the invention will be thoroughly understood Without requiring a more extended explanation and therefore the same has been omitted.

lVhat is claimed is 1. A tool of the class described comprising a head, and a handle therefor, a pair of spaced superimposed longitudinally disposed springs secured to said head and projecting beyond one edge thereof, the projecting ends of said springs receiving therebetween' the adjacent end of said handle, and means for holding said parts operatively associated.

2; A tool of the class described comprising a head, and handle therefor, a pair of spaced superimposed longitudinally disposed springs projecting beyond one edge of the head, one of said springs being terminally secured to said edge of the head, the other of said springs being passed through saidhead-andjtermina-lly secured to the opposite edge thereof, the projecting ends- E25 adjacent end of said handle, and means for,

of-nsaid springsreceiving therebetween the holding said parts operatively associated.

3. A tool of the class described comprising va head a handle therefor, a yieldable connection between said parts :comprisingda pair ofspaced lea-f springs secured to the' adjacent end of said handle, one of said springs having an angularly disposedattaching. portion secured to said headf t-he' other-of said springsterminating to provide a bolt passed transversely through said; head, and a nut associated Withthe freeend of said bolt.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses. i

SAMUEL B. BARTLETT? Witnesses:

D. ALMCDONALD, W. L. SIMMONS. 1

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents;

Washington, D. C. i 

